Dryer vent safety tips for better performance

Homeowners are often puzzled why their clothes dryer takes longer to dry a load of clothes than it used to. The answer is pretty simple, but it has some serious implications.

A buildup of lint in the dryer or its vent pipe could not only reduce the efficiency of the dryer, but it could also be a fire hazard. The consumer product safety commission found that in just one year 15,000 fires were attributed to the buildup of lint in the dryers or exhaust vents. This buildup reduces airflow, causing the dryer to work harder and heat up excessively, which can lead to a fire.

There are two things you can do to stop this buildup.

Clean out the dryer’s vent pipe periodically. There are brushes designed specifically for this job.